City Council - Regular Meeting

here. Miss Hamlin here. Mr. Hart here. Miss Hazel Baker here. Janet here.

Welcome everyone. With us tonight we have our assistant city manager Chris Wyn, clerk of council Misty Clark, city manager Dave Kennedy, city solicitor Joe Braonn, Captain Gangler, Chief Gabrielson. Um, we also have our chaplain Spence is here, Lieutenant Betker and Officer Parks and former council members Kent Blair and Todd Osborne. So, welcome everyone. Um, would want to note that Harry Laughlin, who was a longtime um, officer and retired as a lieutenant from our police department, passed away yesterday, I believe. He's also a longtime resident, was he not? Um, so keep the Laughlin family and the uh police family in your in your thoughts. Um, Captain Gangler want to start us off. Good evening. Thank you, mayor, city council, city staff members, and those in attendance this evening for this opportunity. When people hear the term law enforcement, they tend to picture uniformed officers responding to calls or making arrests. But in reality, it's a shared system of responsibility constituting not only of the enforcement of laws, but community service as a whole and includes more than just a single profession. along with police agencies, government leadership, community organizations, and citizens themselves play a major role by addressing concerns and building trust. When all these pieces work together, law enforcement becomes less about reaction and more about prevention, accountability, and shared ownership of public safety. There are times when members of one of these groups stand

apart due to their involvement, actions, or decisions. When this occurs, it is appropriate they be honored and recognized for going above and beyond the standard measure. Tonight, we are proud to recognize a local family who exemplifies that level of commitment to their community. The Leland Police Department would like to bestow our citizen award of commendation to the Shiding family for their unselfish devotion during a trying event that occurred in our city. If you'll please allow me the honor of reading the presentation of the award. The award of commendation is hereby presented to the shining family in recognition of their superior handling of a difficult and sensitive situation and for actions that reflect the highest standards of compassion, responsibility, and community service. On January 31, 2026, the Shiding family demonstrated extraordinary presence of mind and selflessness when a vulnerable juvenile sought refuge in their home during dangerously cold weather conditions. Recognizing the immediate risk to the child's safety, and well-being, the family acted without hesitation to provide warmth, comfort, and care, ensuring the child was protected from further harm. Throughout the incident, the family displayed exceptional patience, empathy, and unity. They worked together to create a calm, nurturing environment, prioritizing the emotional and physical needs of the child while maintaining a safe and stable household. Their willingness to open their home for an extended period, allowing the child to remain secure and supportive setting until appropriate assistance could respond, demonstrate superior judgment and an unwavering commitment to do what is right. The actions of the Shiding family exemplify the principles upon which the award of commendation is founded. Their conduct

reflects the very best of our community and serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact compassion and humanity can have during moments of crisis. For their exceptional actions and exemplary handling of a difficult situation, the Shining family is deserving of the award of accommodation. step forward and get a picture here. want to say something.

Um I would just like to say that we um in no way we're expecting an award and um we're very grateful um for the Lovelin department, police department um and the way that they responded um and just how like the situation itself was very sad circumstances. So, um, both Officer Parks and, um, Mike were great, um, with my kids and the juvenile that was at our house. So, we just appreciate the department and we're, um, glad to be a part of this community.

Picture picture with all of you. We'll stay back here. Chaplain, you want Chaplain? You want to get in the picture? Yeah, exactly.

You might go perfect.

Can you see?

Thanks for being here. Thank you. Thank you guys. Can you see the camera? That's easy, huh? Thank you. We planned it. You did plan for.

All right. I think um communications, right? We don't have any open forum. Mr. Witch.

Yes. Um, thank you. M here packet is a uh letter from a letter from Duke Energy. Um, this this letter is a kind of a typical letter that comes out every so often. Uh, probably every five, six, seven years. Um, this is Duke's way of putting out their first negotiating tactic for um for rates. So, this goes to not just all communities. this pro it goes to all the um all the advisory councils, everyone that's involved. So eventually they'll go to PUCO and ask for this rate increase. Well, in that interim until they meet with PUCO there, you're going to see a lot of a lot of uh different groups and a lot of different advisory councils come out and say, "Hey, this is crazy. You know, you see you saw the the letter and how much they're looking to increase it." Um so this is typical. Um I talked to our energy consultant um to talk to them about it. He goes he said, "Yeah, you know, they they do this every so often when they're looking to raise their rates. This is their first step just like any negotiation." Um but we had talked we talked internally and I think um we are going to draft a letter um on behalf of council um and submit um just our comments based on u the proposed rate increases. So, we will uh we'll likely have that at the next council meeting for you all to sign.

Okay. Thank you. Any comments or questions, Hamlin?

Um yeah, I would just like to say I I appreciate the offer to do this letter. I think it's important even though this is at the very early stages, what they are asking for is a 75% increase in rates. And I think residents are should be rightfully outraged by this. Um, in comparison, the consumer price index was up 2.4% over the last 12 months ending February 2026. So, this is far and above what I think is reasonable. And so, um, yeah, I just want to say thank you for offering to do this letter on behalf of the residents. I think it's, um, I I don't think it's too early to get out in front of this.

Any other comments, questions? All right. Next is re review and approval of the minutes from the March 10th, 2026 meeting. Any additions, changes? Move to approve as written. Second. Call the role, please. Vice Mayor Baitman. Yes. Mr. Goodyear. Yes. Hamlin. Yes. Mr. Hart. Yes. Mr. Hazel Baker. Yes. Mr. Jick. Yes. Bailey. Yes. Motion carries seven to zero. Mr. Witch.

Thank you, Mayor. um every every so often um in fact it's for this it was three years ago that we had a contract uh with Altafiber um Altafiber if you recall used to be Cincinnati Bell they've they've transitioned into Alta Fiber they've been our internet and Ethernet provider for the city and for our city buildings for several several years uh over a decade um kind of in in the landscape of internet and Ethernet capabilities in reality there really is only one other player that we um could potentially get our internet and Ethernet from and that's Spectrum. Um and we we did talk to them briefly and there was there would be a lot of hardware upgrades as well as a lot of um basically firsttime fees. So in your packet you see obviously that there is a price increase um from the previous three-year term. Um, but keep in mind the last three-year term was a was a fixed rate as will this one. Um, and also uh of note, if you recall when we were talking about our phone systems, we did take um ATC, a local company here in Cincinnati, um, has offered their services to us to do audits. and they actually during this audit identified another area not necessarily directly tied to to um Alta Fiber, but it's actually CBTS. So, we will be seeing in in the future about a $1,600 savings per year going to these new network switches that we would maintain. Uh currently we're paying CBTS to maintain these, but Velor has said as part of their contract, current contract, they have no issues being the uh service provider for those. Um so that's just keep in mind, you know, you do see an increase. Uh yearly we're looking at 40,200.

Um and now we'll be closer to $56,000 for internet and Ethernet. Um, but we will be saving $1,600 in year two per month on that bill or se basically that same same concept. Um, and then we will be taking off several $75 per month charges once we get our new phone system up and running. Um, so as you see in year 2027, the $56,000 comes down to approximately $53,000. Um, so with that, I will take any questions.

Any questions, comments? Miss Hamlin? Could you speak to I I mean I don't I know this is probably a boilerplate agreement but um the agreement does not list terms and conditions but instead it points to a website um which of course the website can change. So how are we handling variable terms and conditions?

Yeah. So, we um uh through discussions we had what we're going to do and I've reached out to Alta Fiber. Um obviously, we have not signed this yet. It'll be signed after a potential motion and approval. Um but we have talked to them about doing a screen grab of those terms and conditions and those will be applied or put in as an exhibit to this. So, we have had those discussions. Thank you.

And just as a point of clarification going forward too, Mr. Kennedy and I have talked about this is kind of a new mode of contract uh where they do these and where you they just say reference the website. In the future, Mr. Kennedy and I will be printing those off for the current um what they currently are and including any other comments, questions,

Miss Hamlin. Um, I also notice that there is um we're bound by arbitration in this agreement and I guess I would just like to ask the city solicitor if he could weigh in on whether or not confidentiality is enforcable given the fact that obviously we are a municipality that is subject to sunshine laws etc. Can I weigh in? Of course. Yes.

Um, yes. So the answer to that is the outcome of the arbitration is not confidential or any agreement that would be the product of an arbitration but the proceedings themselves are confidential to the extent that like any kind of a mediation process the information is not shared that goes back and forth um or recorded in any way but any outcome would obviously be subject to the rules of arbitration and would generate some kind of a finding or public document. I would also point out it's not uncommon that these adhesion contracts like this will have arbitration provisions. Um while we prefer not to have them in some agreements like Facebook things like that always have those um but nevertheless this one actually provides for arbitration to be held here in Cincinnati. So it's less offensive. So

thank you. All right. Any further comment? Read the resolution please. Resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with Honeybell Telephone Company doing business as Alta Fiber for internet and Ethernet services. Call the RO, please. Mr. Goodyear, yes. Miss Hamlin, yes. Mr. Hart, yes. Miss Hazel Baker, yes. Mr. Jick, yes. Mayor Bailey, yes. Mr. Baitman, yes. Motion carries. I'm sorry. Resolution 27 carries by a vote of seven to zero.

Mr. Widage. Thank you, mayor. Um, we are at the stage um with Love Madura Road phase 2 where they typically ODOT asks for a um what's called an LPA OD. Let project agreement. Um once again, this is the the the uh phase that goes from West Lovel to approximately Valley View and includes the roundabout. Um we're currently at what's considered stage two with ODOT. Um and this is you've seen these before. This is a uh kind of a formality in the process when you go through these process this type of funding. Um just as a as a reminder, this was a uh 7921 split um with a cap of 4 approximately $4.6 million coming from federal funding. In your packet, I've outlined kind of where we're at with the project. When we scoped this project, um we the the cost at that point was around $6.2 million. Um since that we've gone through stage one and stage two. And between those and during that time, we've we identified a couple other things that were we were going to add to the project. One of the big big ticket items that we're going to add um that will be funded through the WMR is the waterline replacement throughout this corridor. it is a um aging and failing part of the of our water water system. So this is a perfect candidate for those for those uh funds. Um the other the other things that have kind of come up that have brought the cost up has included the utility relocations. Um I think in the beginning when this was scoped the extent of the utility relocations was a little bit of an unknown and it's becoming clearer now. So, we're getting we're honing into this price a little closer. So, with that said, you see there's obviously a delta

um between what what the feds are giving us in in funding and what we're going to owe, and that's approximately $2 million. Um we did apply this past round with OP OPWC to get approximately 51% of that funded. Um today, we we did have a phone call with OPWC. what uh although we haven't seen the formal um letter from them um they did indicate that we will be funded. Um so that takes a big a big portion of that uh $2 million and brings it down uh to something a lot more palatable and a lot more to where we were we had it originally scoped in the budget. Also another update on this project. I know I've said it before about this being delayed, but it is delayed until 2028. Um this is due to the rightaway acquisition uh specifically with the United States Post Office. Um when ODOT when ODOT saw that we were obtaining right away from the US post office, they immediately raised a red flag and and and brought to our attention that they have the ability to as does anyone, but they have the ability when we present them with a rightway take, they have the ability to wait 12 months before they answer. So that immediately put basically a one-year pause or a one-year extension on this project. Um there's possibilities that it could go quicker. Um but the way ODOT has their funding set up, they wanted to prepare for potentially the worst. Um so that's why you're seeing um the delay in this project. Um we are having conversations with OPWC to make sure they understand that this will be delayed and our funding from them that should all be fine. We're going to work all that out. Um but other than that, the project is going well. It's just there's a lot of uh a lot of coordination in this project with um the bearing of the utilities.

So, it's been a it's been a trying time with Duke, but we're continuing to forge forge through it. So, if the post office answers more timely, then we're okay going forward more more quickly. That's so we've had that conversation with ODOT and they said if if if we get um favorable feedback and favorable conversation with the US Post Office, they're willing to bump the project up closer to the original timeline. So, we'll see what happens. Okay. All right. Any questions, comments? Yes, Mr. Jarnick.

Thank you, Mr. Wanch. Um is this basically because of the sidewalk? Yes. So, um it does there's really no way to ex So, the way we're the take that's happening on that side is the 11 foot um the pathway that's going on that side without there's literally no way to put it in without obtaining some rightway. So, that's what it's attributed to. Okay. Thank you. Any further comments, questions?

Yes, Miss Hazel Baker. Um, so I mean I appreciate kind of you walking through and answering a lot of the questions around kind of the bulk of the increase because it was um an unexpected kind of increase. Um, could you talk through kind of how you plan for inflation? I I I'm feel like we've planned for it, but because of the delay with um 2028 and I think if we could maybe talk through some of I feel like this is a little bit of a chicken and egg scenario in this um area because we know there's going to be changes in this area, you know, over the coming years. So, talking through kind of maybe some of those um traffic concerns about kind of the the thoroughare um that's there, if you could address those. I know most of this was kind of pretty far along um as we kind of go through, but now that we're kind of getting into those details, I think that would um help around there and I do just appreciate that your kind of approach on how to get um half of that, you know, part that's our portion with that grant. So, just appreciation there, but if you could talk through some of the um additional items, be helpful.

Yeah, absolutely. So, uh first off, the costs at stage two include approximately a 25% contingency. that contingency is um a combination of inflation and just general contingency. So um as you go through the stages that the the estimate gets honed in closer and closer. So there has been a inflation factor put on that 7 $7.2 million based on the 2028 uh schedule. Um and then as far as the the thoroughfare and kind of looking at future plans for that area, um I think you know the biggest question or the big biggest one is you know the school and and what's going to happen in the future there. Um the way we're designing the medians and the curb cuts um they will all be they're all going to function as if the school is still there. However, um should anything change or any other new development come in, um as with any new development, there will be a traffic study that would have to be done. And with that traffic study, there'll be improvements that'll be recommended through that study. And as is with most developments, um they would be on the hook for any of those improvements. So, let's say a median island um doesn't line up with the new drive that they want to put in. They would be responsible for any of those changes. It's not it's not fun. It's not, you know, we're not happy to tear something. However, it would not be on the city's dime is what I'm kind of getting to. So, does that sort of answer it?

It does. Thank you. Any other questions, comment, Miss Hamlin? Uh yeah, I noticed there's this is Scrier's, I guess you'd call it. Um the there are some project identifying numbers, agreement number, P number, route section numbers on there is a disconnect between what's on the first page and on the signature page. So somebody just needs to correct that. Yeah, those will be updated and you that was brought to my attention. So we will get those updated prior to signing. So those have been sent over already by ODOT but it was too late to get in the packet. And then if I could a followup then on page four there's also um some bracketed editor's notes that should also be removed.

Correct. Yes, we will we will get those cleaned up. Any other comments? Yes, vice mayor. Sorry to go back to the uh rightway acquisition, but I know uh that we've talked through getting um uh consulting for that. That uh that 12 month uh timer hasn't been activated yet or it has you have we haven't contacted USPS to say we intend to take this. That's that's a that's a piece that has not happened yet.

It has not because we just signed that contract. Um actually actually you just approved that contract and there was a change that had to be made after the fact based on this. It didn't increase the price but it the scoping basically the the um uh the schedule had to be changed because of that. So that we have not touched base with them in the the formal sense that ODOT requires. So that has not happened yet. Okay. With this uh passage of this resolution, we would be moving that one step forward to potential right ofway acquisition. Yes, sir. Okay. Yes. Thank you. Any other questions, comments? Read the resolution, please.

Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an LPA O. Project agreement for the Lovely Madera phase 2 project. Call the RO, please. Miss Hamlin. Yes. Mr. Hart? Yes. Miss Hazel Baker, yes. Jick, yes. Mayor Bailey, yes. Vice Mayor Baitman, yes. Mr. Goodyear, yes. Resolution 28 is stopped by a vote of seven to zero. All right. Next, I guess is mine. We uh as a council evaluate the clerk of counsel um each year just for her role as clerk of council whereas the certainly the bulk of um Miss Clark's duties are as what is it? Executive assistant. Assistant to

assistant to the city manager. assistant to the city manager. So on our small portion we um we we did that and this is um Miss Clark's raise which seems like a pittance but we're only only you know evaluating on a small part of what she does. Dave will do better. Yes, his part.

Um but um certainly I think all of council is very pleased with Miss Clark's performance. does an outstanding job of uh all duties that uh that that we need her to do as the clerk of council is exceptional. Hasn't been clerk of the year for a while, but nonetheless does an outstanding job. Does anybody have anything to add? Yes, Mr. Hart.

Uh I just um pass on my my thanks and and appreciation for the work that Miss Clark does. Um just just speaking in terms of her role in this this capacity. um the the job of getting minutes and to us and agendas and all that kind of stuff is um could be kind of a thankless part of her job, but I I would say that uh it's it's always done to to the highest level. Um the way she treats people when they come into the council chambers is beyond reproach and uh I thank her for all the work that she she's a constant um steadfast positive force in the chambers here and I appreciate her for that. Very good. Anyone else? Yes, Mr. Goodyear.

I I want to echo that as well and and I certainly appreciate everything that Miss Clark does for all council members. And just as one small example, recently I I was very dilatory in getting signed up for uh going to an event and I text her and said, "Hey, was I supposed to sign up for this?" And about 30 seconds later, she said, "You're signed up." Uh she is she is on top of everything. And that's just a very small example, of course. Um, but I certainly appreciate all she does for council and everything she does for the residents of the city and I just wanted to thank her for that. Very good. Anyone else? Mr. Jared,

Miss Miss Clark, you are the one of the main reasons why Loveland is the sweetheart of Ohio. Thank you. Very nice. Anyone else? Okay, read the resolution, Miss Clerk. Resolution increasing the compensation for the clerk of council. Call the RO, please. Mr. Hart, yes. Miss Hazel Baker, yes. Mr. Janick, yes. Mayor Bailey, yes. Mayor Baitman, yes. Mr. Goodyear, yes. Hamlin, yes. Resolution 29 is adopted by a vote of seven to zero. Mr. Kennedy,

yes. I was going to uh request we table this to our next meeting. Um I did not have the um the lease agreement. I do now, but you would need more time to read through it. So, uh, I was trying to push this through and, uh, we've got time. So, I'll move it to the April 14th meeting and the lease agreement will be attached to the legislation. Can we have a mo a motion to table this matter till the next meeting? Motion to table. Second. Second. Thank you. Call the role, please. Miss Hazelbaker, yes. Mr. Janick, yes. Mayor Bailey, yes. Vice Mayor Baitman, yes. Mr. Goodyear, yes. Miss Hamlin, yes. Mr. Hart, yes.

Motion carries seven to zero. All right. Um, we also had the pleasure of doing a performance evaluation uh for Mr. Kennedy and so his employment agreement um is is in the packet for ordinance which seems odd to me that we read it twice but so be it. We're required by the charter required 4.0. Then we should do that I suppose. Okay. Um, would anybody like to say anything about our city manager, Miss Hamlin?

I would love to. Um, I will just say, you know, being obviously one of the newest members of city council, we are not too far away from campaigning and to get eight people to agree on anything is difficult. But I think the one thing that every person who ran for council in the last election season agreed on was that Dave Kennedy was the biggest asset this city had going for it. So I couldn't agree with that more and it is an honor to work with you and thank you for everything you do. Mr. Goodyear.

Um running the risk of embarrassing Mr. Kennedy, I would just add on that um I it is always impressive to me not only the ability that Mr. Kennedy has to relate to residents uh on a one-on-one basis. I mean, he he responds to things almost immediately when there's an issue, but I I don't know anyone, at least in my professional life, that has worked more hours than uh than Mr. Kennedy does. I mean, he's here very early. He's here late. He's at committee meetings as Mr. Witch is as well. Um he's always doing everything he can and obviously you see the results that come through through his stewardship as city manager. So I'm very happy to support uh the raise he's getting. Uh and I very much appreciate his work on behalf of the city.

Thank you. Anyone else? Well then I'll have something to say, Mr. Kennedy. Um I I mean we're all we know we know what a treasure we have in you. Um we know the work ethic you bring. What I enjoy is how excited you get about the good things that are happening in this city as much as anyone that lives here and gets to actually um enjoy it on a regular basis. You you are as excited about the good things happening as as any of us can be. Um it is a a pleasure to work with such an honorable, honest, dedicated man. And um it is not it I think the best part of it is it's not lost on any of this. We appreciate you while we're here and we're very lucky to have you. We know that.

Is there anything you would like to say? No, I I I I greatly appreciate it. I have a summary of my annual report where I was going to try to point out the team that is behind all of the all of the things that happened here. Well, you wait for that then. Okay. All right. Go ahead and read the ordinance. Ordinance amending the employment agreement to increase the compensation of the city manager David Kennedy. Thank you, Mr. Kennedy.

Um, we a couple year actually in 2019 the city adopted what we call the job creation incentive program. Uh, and then that was uh modified Corey modified it in 2022. It was to make it a little bit more um desirable as an economic development tool. it is seen as sort of a counter to the CRA and the CRA you could argue sort of built the Commerce Park uh the likes of uh Keith McCuskkey Oasis Kenwood dealer group just to touch on a few recent uh people that have used the CRA as a pool to come into the Commerce Park uh I'm sorry Oasis on on Love Road and um the thought was all along was is that um another tool that the city would have when someone is dealing with an existing structure that would not get as money as much uh renovation. So the CRA would not be as beneficial. The CRA and its most basic point is very very valuable for raw property. You're paying X you're going to put a property a building on it that the real estate taxes are going to go up. This freezes it for X up to 15 years. So the theory was that we would have another incentive that as the city is reaching almost full builtout stage uh that we wouldn't be lost to potentially have like a Bob Riker from the Kenwood dealer group for him in looking at them both it still was more beneficial to have the CRA uh because of the amount of renovations that he was going to do but to have someone who was who is going to bring potentially $90,000 into the city in perpetu ity and not be able to bring them in because we as Chris and I find other communities are competing. I won't mention the name of the city, but I got a call from a member a building in the uh property owner in the commerce park

who was looking to expand and was pretty convinced he would have to leave the city and he mentioned to me that insert name of other city was actually offering him a building. And I thought to myself, you know, this is the kind of stuff that we need to have. I know the nice thing about the JCIP versus the CRA, they be they are brought to the city. Council gets to approve them. We largely administer the CRA in house. Council only gets involved if someone is not meeting the thresholds and it has to be removed and that doesn't happen very often. So the thought was that this is a good tool in the toolbox. I make I make it it's pretty clear we it's not been used. It has been looked at but it has not been used. And the thought was since it did was uh when you upgraded it in 2022, you put a provision that it would expire in December 31st, 2025. I just caught it while we were preparing for the uh tax incentive review committee and I thought it would just be go ahead and put another two years on it. We'll see where where where it's at at that point in time. There's no changes to what you approved in 2022 in terms of incentives. just simply expands that the the deadline.

All right. Thank you. Any comments or questions? Yes, Vice Mayor.

Thanks for uh the explanation, Mr. Kennedy. I'm uh I remember when we first uh set this out, the uh the job the job creation incentive program. I just had a couple of uh I guess comments around it. Um I fully support this. I think it's somewhat telling that it hasn't been utilized. Uh so I'm hopeful that in the next two years during this term we'll find the right fit for someone to take advantage of this. I certainly don't see any uh issues with the numbers. Although one thought from my side would be it's a little less interesting on the low end. Um, and maybe there's an opportunity for us down the road to support smaller businesses with uh with less overall payroll and giving them uh a stronger incentive for uh helping them sort of get off their feet. I think the sort of startup mentality can make uh managing uh you know payroll and and benefits budgets difficult. So, uh, the city can help support some of those, uh, smaller businesses through this job creation incentive program. I think that would be a worthwhile endeavor, but I don't see any reason to change this program at this point. Uh, but again, just saying that I would love to see the right fit take advantage of this uh, because I think it is a good complement to a CRA and in many ways does um, uh, does a little bit more for the uh for the business without uh you know putting any u additional pressure on some of the other systems that uh that the uh CRA might do with property tax. So anyway, just wanted to give my two cents on that and uh again look forward to renewing the next two years.

Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Miss Haz Baker.

Yeah. Um yeah, I think as you talk through that since the JCIP isn't um there's not much interest in the CRA tool has been so powerful um you know the councils before before me and most of you have served you know in that the CRA did a really great job $28 million investment into the city 270 jobs created. So that tool seems to be working really well. So, I think similar to um vice vice mayor um Baitman, I think I would love to see this tool really working for us to attract the businesses that we want. Um and so I think it is a little bit um limiting to maybe some of the smaller businesses. So I I mean I think you know at this time for a couple years I you know try maybe marketing it better, trying to attract um and trying to make sure this tool is is leveraged. But I think if we could um look at maybe other municipalities, I think this one was built off of another municipality um and try to see kind of and being really intentional about what type of businesses you want and building a plan that maybe they're not big enough for a CRA, but like giving them some incentive to grow their business or do something within um the community.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments, questions? Read the ordinance, please. Ordinance amending chapter 1327 of the city of Lovelin code of ordinances to the program terms of the job creation and senate program.

Thank you. Mr. Kennedy, are you going to mark uh down in sunny Florida and he had a couple utility assessments uh both in Hamilton County and in Warren. There were none in Claremont. As we know because these change fairly regularly, we do pass these uh we adopt these as an emergency measure so we can get them moved through. We still can make a minor adjustment if something happens. Uh we don't run back. But doing that over the course of especially now April 14th as March has an extra me Tuesday. A lot would happen between now and then. Any comments or questions on that? I'll go ahead and read the first ordinance.

Ordinance amending leans for unpaid utility bills on property in Hamilton County owed to the city of Lovelin and declaring an emergency. Call the role, please. Mr. Jick, yes. Mayor Bailey, yes. Vice Mayor Baitman, yes. Goodyear. Yes. Miss Hamlin, yes. Mr. Hart, yes. Miss Hazel Baker, yes. Ordinance 30 is adopted by voter 7 to zero. Read the next ordinance, please. Ordinance assessing leans for unpaid utility bills on property in Warren County owed to the city of Leland and declaring an emergency. Call the role, please. Mayor Bailey, yes. Vice Mayor Bman, yes. Mr. Goodyear, yes. Hamlin, yes. Mr. Hart, yes. Miss Hazelbaker, yes. Mr. Jick, yes. 31 is adopted by vote of seven to zero. Mr. Kennedy.

So, um, per the city charter, uh, the city manager is required to submit a annual report which does sort of a look back on the previous year. Um, typically we I I try to work on this during uh the Christmas December, but we we had a very active grant year. So, uh, was able to get this in before the uh, deadline in the charter. And, um, sometimes we do a presentation, sometimes I just write it. and I just decided this time. So, we we break it out and I just wanted to go over some of the bullet points and uh I think the theme here is is that this is all for not if these items aren't supported by council, which obviously you do. Uh, I mean, grants aren't going to happen unless city council is always willing to do what what council does, which is support local matches and making sure that staff and that's a big part of it. So, when you look at the finance, just sort of the high level uh items that were a big uh were pretty impressive was obviously income tax at 7.2 up uh 448 from 2024. the first time the city's topped 7 million uh and it's an increase of three and a half for over 12 years. It's a pretty impressive. We thought that one bump was really all COVID related and and it's proven to be not so and it's a really interesting mix if you think about it from the commerce park in downtown and soon to be I uh in the future with all the work uh I think level madiraa road is going to be a bigger feeder into that real estate tax is driven by a $250 million valuation increase in the city over the last 10 years and if you think about it that happened at a time when housing number of homes that this city before my time and back when many of your other time you know we were probably popping out 30 40 50 homes a year and a lot of that's

changed I'll touch on that in a little bit but um the recreation land tiff I mean if if you remember all of those years we were just the general fund was covering the the debt on the recreation land tiff uh when we were covering it hoping that something would happen on the Christmas farm and now you're you're seeing the efforts and council ponyied up and ran the sewer main up there and did the property assessment and out of that now we're we're not even at our sweet spot but we're at 267 so it it's able to pay back the general fund help with projects in Warren County such as the the sidewalks uh that's a big deal the WMR is is I can't fathom it was exactly I think as council vision 585 for the year Chris just told you that's uh that's going to play a role in love road is going to play a role in Riverside Drive uh the phase one uh phase two and phase three a level of Miamiville road would not have happened uh without the WMR because we didn't have enough money to pay the water share. Uh so that's been very very beneficial. Uh storm water increase that couldn't have been more minor but it really helped level that playing field with storm water which plays is a participant in a lot of project a lot of capital budgets and the city ended the year and all funds carryover of 12.62 million. uh fire levy funds remain stable. Uh it's interesting when you look at that and you what you read some of these numbers with a calculator in hand. Uh levy levies uh account for 85% of of all of the fire EMS operations and it says a that it's pretty important and b that obviously city residents support LSFD. Um biggest thing two big things happen in fire operations in 25. One would be the fire station construction. Obviously, the the meat of it all occurred in 25. And um I I really kudos to Chris and that it's just a you you have this strong engineering analysis,

plan reading, and then you got this guy that hands down knows more about fire operations. It was sort of the Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, dream team thing, and it it really helped it really helped formulate and maneuver through all of these things. And I I got to say, I think one of the neatest things that happened at 25 was the naming uh the the fire station naming. Uh that really was if you look back on that and that picture speaks a lot of word, but I think Misty and I will say pulling one behind's back was no small feat. And so, uh he knows everything that's going on and he did not have a clue. And that's Misty did a great job putting that together. um moving into police operations. 17,500 calls in 2025 uh despite handling despite basically three below authorized uh staffing. Uh and um that's a pretty important thing. And uh you know, when you bring in an when you bring in a a police chief from a a highly funded uh community like Ketering, you you in the back of your mind, you're worrying, are they going to be able to adjust to what we work with here? And I think Mike uh Chief Gabrielson does it every day. 80% of the police budget goes towards salaries, but you're still able to figure out a way to systematically upgrade your equipment, get your officers trained. That is uh that is really something special. I would say the highlight of the police operations, something that Mayor Bailey had a big uh role in was the SRO number five. I was listening to Chief uh Gabrielson speak the other day uh at uh Lovelinu and he and he mentioned something that stuck with me. Communities our sides don't have five SRO's and that is really something that says a lot about city council's commitment to safety and the school board right along with you and that is a 50/50 right down the center. That's not just 50/50 on the salary that's gas that's everything you can imagine and

that's a real important thing. You know, you never know the the wonderful life thing on a thing, but you you just got to think that maybe you've really done something special for a family when you with this because you luckily you'll never know because the investment was made. And you know, behind the scenes, what you don't see is Chief Gabrielson and I trying to figure out how this works because, you know, LECC is not going to have it, but he came up with the idea for the community resource officer and that was the glue that puts this whole thing together. I really appreciate councel Kathy and Mike Broadwater really coming up and realizing that this could happen. Uh, under parks, obviously we made a big dent in Nisbet, the biggest dent in Nisbet. We're going to know more on Thursday with the bid opening for the amphitheater. But I just found it interesting that park expenditures from 2020 to 2025 have gone up 81%. That's a that's really impressive. Under economic development, biggest uh deal in 25 would have been the Kenwood dealership. As I mentioned, 90,000 is anticipated and income tax and 120 new jobs. Love of Madiraa Road is by its very nature an economic development project. And um when that is fully done, uh I think with the other incentives, maybe the JCIP, maybe there's another incentive that fits better into retail type businesses comes together. But I I I I think and uh Chris really is steering that ship. It's a very when you're dealing with multiple funding sources and you're dealing with underground utilities and you're dealing with ODOT, it's it's it's not uh it's not an easy process, but it's just that grind of what he does all the time on that. And I think I think the the Denise mirror factor and what's going to go in there will help set the tone. And I think that is very important. As I mentioned, residential development is beginning to continue to slow. There's only eight lots remaining in Chimney Ridge. And the whole focus now is into infill and the planning and zoning

commission was working on that last night updating the zoning changes not just for infill but to better control it not stop it but control it and make it blend. I think that was important under infrastructure. Um, I always make a big deal about it, uh, about the road program because I guess just because I was here back in the $280,000 days, which is was you're spending good money after bad knowing that you're not keeping up with the deterioration levels. Uh, $6 million over six years in the uh in the uh, road program is is incredible. And you talk to Scott Whisby and he'll tell you we're now doing entire subdivisions. are not leaving roads that once they reach that number and I don't know the exact year but there's a certain year when they become so alligator that they deteriorate such a rapid base now you're paying double and triple and it's falling apart and the winners are winners are causing less damage all because council's committed to investing in our roads I think um I think and I'm not going to I don't want to keep embarrassing Chris but uh you know I think grabbing hold of POS the way he did and the 1.3 million principal forgiveness which we call it because we have to. It was a grant and being able to get that and move this along where Chris is going to be coming to council soon to make a presentation on a real important criteria that they that that the city has reached. I think the $ 1.9 million Cherokee water main project. Uh that was I I I I don't know. I can only say obviously in my 12 years that's the biggest water main project in the history of the city. Uh Greg Lansman, OPWC, WMR, uh traffic improvements on West Lovelin. Uh now with the finish of the final phase of Level Miamiville, 1.2 million in sidewalks uh connecting three neighborhoods. Uh there was some nice small uh sidewalk projects. Oh, Sage and Hannah. Uh I think of all the in of all the smaller projects, uh what Jason Brock led with the along the bike trail

was an extremely impressive redo. You you have to rem go back and look at those pictures. And uh obviously uh as I said, council support. Uh, I just want to wrap it up with personnel. Um, I think that I get to work with these people every day and a lot of things that you don't hear, you don't hear not my department because no one acts that way and everyone uh does what they need to do. You It's not It's not odd to see any anyone working outside of his realm to to do what he needs to do. And I think that's important that my direct team and I think a lot of it goes back to city council. If you're not going to support the budget the way you do through funding projects that they're passionate about, getting the equipment they need, keeping competitive salaries is those with those around us uh and benefits, but also those little things I think they like and everyone does. The anniversary recognitions, having people sworn in with their family when they're new hires. I I know it doesn't seem like much, but it really does mean a lot to them. Uh I mean, this is their families are here. I I I just always think that's a pretty cool thing that city does. I'm just wrapping up. Um you know, the people that I work with the most, uh a few of them are in here, Misty. Um you know, um we talked about that in the beginning, but talk about working outside of the realm of your day. I don't think when she showed up here many years ago, she was going to know that her title is also event coordinator. And um and it's not only that, it's also every year if you get to sit next to her crazy meetings with those groups, the very next day they're going over, "Oh, sorry, Adam. I'm sorry." But they're they're immediately going over how to make that better, what they can do, how can Hearts of Fire be added on, and so on. It's really impressive. And she's just about as integral, I will say, to what I do every day. Um I I with Mike I

like I spoke I I think that the hip thing a few years ago was community orientated policing and it's maybe not as in vogue anymore but I think that Mike uh believes in it wholeheartedly uh and uh how he engages with the community uh and in in all in on special events even though we'll admit we don't always invite him to our parades our parade meetings but uh he's a little anti that so but uh I I I think that It says a lot for for what he believes. And of course, I don't know with Chief Chief Huber. I don't know uh someone who wants to always do things better, quicker, faster. I see it every day. And I've never seen somebody so passionate about the people who work that that that work for him. Uh you know, Scott is is a hands-on guy. That's he likes to be out. He likes to be in the field. He likes to be plowing the streets. That's why I think Sean Hartness has been a real valuable pool. I I when it comes to Julie Robinson, quite frankly, I wasn't convinced we needed a a full-time HR person. Uh she's proven me wrong so many ways. Uh she has done more for freeing up Chris and I's time. Uh something we almost did on the side and made it such a priority and what she does, it's it's very impressive. I know Mark's not here, but you can be a finance director and just deal with the finances or you can help out everybody who's doing other stuff that has to do with money because about everything we do has to do with money. And when you're writing together a grant application or you're administering a grant and all the paperwork and all the junk that has to be done, Mark does everything selfishly. There's no island. There's nobody. This is mine. He's an ultimate team player. And then I want to talk, you know, when Chris came in the door, which I believe uh Bruce Hawk had something to do about even letting them know about the position being open. You know, I I think it was more than just grabbing hold of things like the POS and getting us on the right track and putting us at a point where I think we're farther ahead than a lot of communities, but it was

also the you being able to the fire station, the zoning code rewrite, the Riverside Drive, and Love Madira Road. I I will tell you that uh engineering backgrounds is is a good tool for future city managers. So, and I would say that if I'm ever to speak to future city managers, which I won't be, but if anybody else ever speaks to him, uh, it really is a good and it's just been a real gift, uh, just an incredible gift to the city to have Chris here. And of course, I can't undermine how much the commi the 19 committees do for the city and of course the collaboration that we have with council is wonderful. If you don't if you're not buying into what we're doing, none of this works. And I I I can't say enough uh just the only thing I'm going to say personally, it's just uh it's it's a true honor uh to get to work with all of you and of course to get to work with the people in this room and the public works guys, the firefighters, the police officers, everyone that makes the city tick and uh that's it till next year.

Thank you. Anybody have any comments or questions to that? Yes, Mr. Goodyear. I just want to say that in in reading this report, I just it's just so impressive to me and it means so much from my perspective um that you get to you you sit on council and we have these meet create these goals and to watch um really a lean staff, a number of very dedicated people take those goals and put them into fruition and at the same time maintain a very fiscally responsible, very fiscally strong city. I just think it's so impressive. Um, I just wanted to say that I I certainly very much appreciate it. It makes our job a lot easier having the ability to have people uh like you and the staff that works in the city uh to take care of these things and it's very much appreciated.

Thank you. Any other comments? Yes, the heart.

Uh I just want to take Mr. Goodyear's comments one step further. Um, in in terms of, you know, watching over the year to year, there's certainly it's impressive what gets done yeartoear. Um, but I'll go back even a little bit further to 2022 when the cow plan came in. Um, and there was a commitment from Mr. Kennedy and staff to to not let that sit on the shelf and to try to make as much of that come true as possible um before that next cycle comes up. and to have just seen year after year how we gain on what's in that plan and what the what the residents and the city asked for throughout that plan and our you goals continue to align with that. But none of that um none of that happens if our if our city staff is not being so uh diligent and so um steadfast and staying the path and making those things continually happen year after year after year. um continuing to advance those projects that are, you know, important to what what you see leveling, you know, kind of becoming. So, um just very thankful for the work that you guys do. Um everybody, our staff is is incredibly impressive and uh the work that we continue to see done by our staff year after year is just is just amazing. So, thank you.

Anyone else? Yes, Vice Mayor.

Just uh I appreciate the format of this, Mr. Kennedy because I think it really speaks to your uh just your character and how how much you have the finger on the pulse of all of these uh different aspects of the city organization. I think you know a lot of or uh a lot of uh municipalities might be bigger or more sophisticated and have the ability to sort of hide behind fancy spreadsheets and and graphs and images. It takes a lot to fill a memo with this uh much uh concise language that covers such a broad base of the city's operations. And you did it uh I'm sure you did this uh from memory probably just uh knowing all of this. And the other thing I I think that stuck out to me is just how intentional you were uh at uh mentioning in this memo, in this annual report, as well as in your remarks all of the people uh that uh come to make this great team that that implements these plans uh to to such uh you know uh success and ongoing um uh stability. So again, I just thank you for for all that you have done and and the team that you lead and all of those that contribute to this. Um I think the other thing that stood out was just your again your knowledge and your awareness of the system that we need to operate uh in terms of all of the different uh funding mechanisms and the different institutional collaborations that's required uh both within the organization and the different agencies that are represented. departments but also at the community at large. Uh so again I think you have really built something uh incredible here and we've all been able to witness it and I think you know appreciation is is uh hard to to put into words because it's it's quite

literally our our daily lives are are impacted by the decisions and the operations that that uh the city has run. So again, thanks for for leading that team and for continuing to do so and and be that uh consistent sounding board of collaboration and compassion uh for for your team, your staff, us and the residents at large. So thank you, Mr. Kennedy. Thank you.

Thank you. Um I guess I would just say that there are a couple things that that could easily be taken for granted because you make it look so easy and and one certainly is how much work gets done. this is it's almost like there's where's the wizard behind the the curtain because it's really a lean staff that does a whole lot. Um and it's it's pretty amazing what what you all accomplish and and that's a testament to to Dave and to to everybody that that works for Dave and everybody that works for this city because it does take working together and rowing in the same direction to make everything happen like it does. So very very big thank you to to Mr. Kennedy and to all of our staff for everything you do. And and the other certainly is I mean when we were talking for example about level Madiraa and the and the gap I thought he's going to tell us next we've got a a grant that we're probably going to get because we we don't take that for granted but it it it can it becomes rather commonplace a little bit because uh we see do seem to get more than our fair share perhaps. Don't repeat that to anyone. But um that that certainly is is because of all your hard work and and there's so much I I I hear about it um we hear about it in meetings and elsewhere all the time that is spent in writing for these grants. It's not just let's apply for this grant. It is hours and hours of time and and it is cultivating relationships and making uh follow-up phone calls and whatever else it takes to get us that money. And um yeah, we can have all the great ideas in the world, but if we don't have the money to implement them, that doesn't do us much good, unless we want to go into debt, which we're not we're not inclined to do. So, thank you all. This was an amazing uh presentation and makes us feel good about everything that's happening in this city. So, thank you.

Yeah, thank you. I I just want to add that Kelsey Richards and Chris that we've reached the sort of the the whole team effect with the grant applications, and that makes things a lot easier. Uh it was hard for Kelsey to fall in the shoes of Cindy Kloppenstein, but boy has she done it. And she's working with Chris on the OPWC. Great. They got they were able to put that package together for Love and Dear Road. And um I'm sorry I I didn't I I feel bad I didn't touch on Kelsey, but she really is just a wonderful aspect of the city. Well, now she got her own spot. I'm sorry about that. It's all good. All right. Uh, Miss Clark.

So, each year, city council gives two awards. Um, the first is the Loveland Business Enhancement Award, and that recognizes a business within the city that has demonstrated growth in operations or employees and has made significant efforts to improve the appearance of their property. Uh, that can include renovations, building additions, painting, landscaping, or other beautifification projects. Council also gives the Lewis G. Rockwood Community Service Award that honors volunteers who have dedicated their time and talents to serving the city of Loveland. Um, for each nomination, we ask that you um include a brief history or a small resume highlighting their contributions and accomplishments. If council agrees with this schedule, I recommend that um nominations are submitted at our next meeting on April 14th. The selections are voted on at our April 28th meeting and the awards be presented at the May 12th meeting.

All right. Any questions, comments? Maybe send a reminder that week before. Absolutely.

Okay, Mr. Kennedy. So, uh, this is just a memo requesting a public hearing for, uh, license for the landing event center. Um, Wilderness Capital, aka, uh, Mr. Moff. He was talking to some of us with the city and he was really struggling with landing event center and, uh, just there was no location. There's property owners at each of his, which is, lack of better words, a panhandle type property. and was inquired whether or not the city could potentially assist with a very simple um entrance sign uh across the street. And uh I did we did some digging and uh certainly I think the city tries to do everything we can to help out our businesses. Uh um we do we do a lot obviously we do licenses for sheeting and and uh everything many many things obviously. So, we looked at it and we did if you've ever down in the hallway by our offices, those historical maps are just incredible. But I I wasn't really sure. And uh that's actually that stretch there where the flashing sign is is actually where Taylor Street used to be prior to people driving through the trestle in the old days. And so it it actually is a perfect location for a sign. I spoke with our city engineer Kelsey and uh we had talked about once the uh you know that she would work to come up with the exact sightelines. I stood out there uh the other day and there's no visibility. Uh there's big electric pole to the left of that picture. That's the farthest edge of the city's boundary. We got plenty of room to work with uh to find that the right visibility both safe visibility along with it working for uh the landing event center. So this would simply request a public hearing at your April 14th meeting uh for the

granting of the license. Okay. Thank you. Any comments or questions? Someone care to make a motion consistent with the request here? Sure. I'll set a public hearing uh for the April 14th, 2026 regular meeting of city council to consider the license for landing event center. Second. Call the role, please. Vice Mayor Baitman, yes. Mr. Goodyear, yes. Miss Hamlin, yes. Mr. Hart, yes. Miss Hazel Baker, yes. Mr. Jick, yes. Mayor Bailey, yes. Motion carries seven to zero.

Okay. Um, announcements. Registration is open for the Memorial Day parade which will be held on May 25th at 9:00 a.m. Details are available on the city's website. City is hiring a full-time mechanic maintenance worker to join the public works team. Applications are available on the city's website and will be accepted until April 3rd. Fun facts. I was waiting for this for the month of March. In March of 1949, oh, you'll enjoy this, chief. You too are way overpaid. Council increased the compensation of the chief of police to $2,40 per year.

Oo, making a little more than that, I think. In March of 1950, Misty likes this fact. City Council approved the petition of a majority of affected freeholders to detach certain lands in the Hamilton Mainville School District from the village of Loveland and attached them to Hamilton Township, Warren County. So, we lost people in 1950. Just saying it happened. We should name these people. I have their names. I have their name.

Bad group of people. They didn't want to be in Loveland any longer. March of 1961, city council adopted an ordinance to divide the city into four wards. Um hopefully we've changed that by law since then. Otherwise, we're doing it all wrong.

That's law. In March of 1971, city council adopted a resolution honoring the Loveland Hurst basketball team who played in the Ohio State District playoffs in Dayton. first team in Loveland Hurst High School history to attain this level of distin distinction in competitive basketball. And oh, we uh in March of 1972, city council authorized the city manager to advertise for the purchase of three new police cruisers. And we did that jointly with the city of MadiRaa and village of Indian Hill. We didn't share our cruisers. No, I think everybody was buying cruisers. Oh, a lot of cruisers bought that.

Okay. Um, does anyone have any announcements? All right. We need a motion to go into executive session. Make a motion to go in executive session under highrise code section 12122 G2 to consider the purchase and sale of property. Second. Call the role, please. Mr. Goodyear. Yes. Miss Hamlin. Yes. Mr. Hart. Yes. Miss Hazel Baker. Yes. Mr. Janick. Yes. Bailey. Yes, Mayor Baitman. Yes. Motion carries

Are we back? Okay, we're back at 8:15. Is there something, Miss Hamlin, you wanted to discuss?

Uh, yeah. I just had a comment about the mayor's court reports, uh, or report. Um it's appears to be all financial and I'm wondering if there isn't an opportunity to maybe get some additional data behind that um you know like concentration of where these offenses are occurring that kind of thing. I noticed like in a neighboring community, which I won't I won't name because it gets a lot of attention, but like they actually have their mayor's court stuff on a on a website and you can filter by type of offense and where they're occurring at and names and you know, maybe it maybe it gives an opportunity for a broader discussion about safety and enforcement and things like that. So anyways, just a thought and suggestion.

Thank you. All right. Can we have a motion to adjurnn? So move. Sir second. Call the roll, please. Miss Hamlin, yes. Mr. Hart, yes. Miss Hazel Baker, yes. Mr. Janick, yes. Mayor Bailey, yes. Sir Vice Mayor Baitman, yes. Mr. Goodyear, yes. Carry seven to zero.